See unusual animals at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia

Want to turn a tourist attraction into a novel experience? Travel to the other side of the world.

The Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, is home to animals that Americans know about but have likely never seen. Such critters include the Tasmanian devil, which unfortunately doesn't spin in circles like the cartoon character from Looney Tunes.

Tasmanian devils walk on four legs. They have a stocky body, black fur with white markings, a broad head with powerful jaws and large, strong teeth. According to the Taronga Zoo's website, they're capable of eating up to 10 percent of their own body weight of food a day. And they tend to scavenge on dead animals rather than kill their own prey.

Other notable animals include the platypus and echidna, both mammals that lay eggs. The platypus is so unusual that European naturalists and scientists initially believed the animal to be an elaborate hoax. With a paddle-shaped tail like a beaver; a sleek, furry body like an otter; and a flat bill and webbed feet like a duck, they thought a trickster had sewn many different animals together, according to the zoo's website.

Pictured is a koala at the Taronga Zoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. United Airlines now offers a nonstop flight from Houston to Sydney, Australia.

Pictured is a koala at the Taronga Zoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. United Airlines now offers a nonstop flight from Houston to Sydney, Australia.

Photo: Andrea Rumbaugh

Photo: Andrea Rumbaugh

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Pictured is a koala at the Taronga Zoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. United Airlines now offers a nonstop flight from Houston to Sydney, Australia.

Pictured is a koala at the Taronga Zoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. United Airlines now offers a nonstop flight from Houston to Sydney, Australia.

Photo: Andrea Rumbaugh

See unusual animals at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia

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The zoo is also home to Australian favorites including kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. The latter can be viewed up close during a koala encounter, which costs $24.95 for a ticket that permits up to four people to take selfies with the animal. Unfortunately, petting or hugging is not allowed. (Trust me, I tried.)

The zoo also provides a spectacular view of the Sydney skyline. An overlook near the giraffe exhibit should not be missed, and a gondola-like ride called the Sky Safari provides some of the best views.

Sydney is now just 17 hours away on United Airline's new nonstop flight departing Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport.